Surgical or medical bandage.



No. 865.254- PATENTED' SEPT. 3, 1907. P. F. W. KAPPMBIBR.

SURGICAL 0R MEDICAL BANDAGE.

APPLICATION TILED FOV.i5.1905.

THE mmms PETERS cm, wnsnmcrou, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SURGICAL OR MEDICAL BANDAGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3, 1907.

Application filed November 15, 1905. Serial No. 287,434.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL FRIEDRICH WILHELM KAPPMEIER, landscape and marine painter, residing at Alt Kloster, district of Stade, Germany, a subject of the German Emperor, (whose postal address is 173 Staderstrasse, Alt Kloster, district of Stade,) have invented new and useful Improvements Relating to Surgical or Medical Bandages, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention has for its object a wet compress adapted to be heated and more particularly intended for the treatment of sea sickness. In view of compresses and bandages of other kinds, it is essential that with this new compress surface heating and surface compression coiiperate one with the other.

In accordance with the invention, the compress surrounding the .forehead and temples is combined with a tensioning device which is arranged between the compress and retaining band bearing against the occiput. By means of said tensioning device it is possible to press the compress against the head in such a manner that those portions of the cranium affected by the sickness that is to say the forehead and the neighborhood of the temples may be continuously compressed and heated. While, however, the temporal artery is subjected to an extremely vigorous compression, those portions of the cranium situated between the tension ing device and the occipital bone, in which the occipital artery occurs, is relieved from pressure. This result is attained owing to the fact that the points of attack for the tensioning device are arranged upon the outer sides of the ends of the compress, by which means also a stronger application of the side portions of the compress upon the temples is obtained. It is readily possible to regulate the pressure of the compresses by forming the tensioning devices upon both sides of the compress.

A constructional form of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 show the compresses in an ex tended condition, without the felt portion, in elevation and in plan. Fig. 3 illustrates the compress in position for use, in plan Fig. 4 shows the same in side elevation and Fig. 5 represents the cap which is adapt ed to the form of the rear portion of the head, the pres.

sure being transmitted to the occipital bone by means of this cap.

The relatively displaceable metallic containers A, which are provided in the known manner with therinophores, electrical heaters or the like in the known manner, are provided upon their inner side with a moisture absorbing layer B of felt, the inner side of which corresponds with the form of the cranium. The tensioning devices are arranged upon the external metallic containers. In the example illustrated these tensioning devices consist of handles 0 provided with spindles upon which ratchet wheels K are mounted. These latter cooperate with pawls J in such a manner that it is only possible for the handles and spindles to shift in the direction opposite to that shown by the arrow 1, when the pawl J has been lifted out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel K. The spindles connected with the handles 0 are provided with holes H through which a retaining band or cord is passed. This cord D or the like is attached in any convenient manner (for example by means of eyes F) to the cap E, which fits the form of the rear portion of the cranium and is preferably composed of compressed leather. The containers A are provided with covers which are maintained in place by retaining fingers G.

The compress is employed in the following manner: The felt lining B is impregnated with hot water or other heated liquid adapted for the purpose in View. The containers A, which are heated by thermophores or electrical heaters are then inserted in the felt lining. The compress is then placed upon the head in such a manner that the forehead and temples are covered with the layer of felt B, while the leather cap E rests upon the occipital bone. The compress is then tightened up by turning the handles O in the direction of the arrows 1, the locking devices preventing the spindies from turning in the opposite direction. Owing to the arrangement of these tensional devices the result is obtained that the pressure upon the forehead and the temples may be made as great as desired. The portion of the cranium situated between the tensioning device and the occipital bone remains free from pressure, however, so that the circulation of the'blood is not affected.

The compress should be applied as hot and as firmly as bearable, in order to reduce to normal the circulation of the blood between the head and the stomach of per sons affected by sea sickness. Owing to the continuous pressure in combination with the continuous heating, and to the special arrangement of the compress, certain arteries of the head are acted upon, without the occipital artery the functions of which are so important, being prejudicially affected.

The curative or preventive action of this novel com press arises from the fact that the vesicular nerves (the vasomotor nerves) are paralyzed or rendered inoperative and an improved circulation of the blood Within the cranium is produced. The compress may be readily removed by lifting the pawls .I and releasing the cord D.

Having now described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The combination of a metallic container the inner side of which corresponds with the form of the cranium, said container being provided with heating means and further provided upon its inner side with a moisture absorbing layer, a retaining device bearing against the occiput and a tensioning' device arranged between said container and said retaining device.

The combination of a plurality of metallic containers, the inner sides of which correspond with the form of the cranium, said containers are provided with heating means and further provided upon their inner side with a moisture absorbing layer, means for connecting said containers, a retaining device bearing against the occiput, and a tensioning device arranged between said containers and said retaining device.

7 3. The combination with a plurality of metallic con tainers having hinged connection, the inner sides of which containers correspond to the form of the cranium, means for heating the containers, moisture-absorbing pads located at the inner faces of the containers, a retaining device adapted for bearing against the occiput, spindles mounted at the outer end portions of the chain of containers, flexible connections between the spindles and the retainingdevice, and ratchet and pawl connections between the said spindles and the said chain of containers.

l. In surgical or medical bandages, a head compress adapted to conform to the forehead and temples, a moisture absorbing lining for the compress, means for heating the compress, which means are a portion thereof, a rear member adapted to have bearing against the occiput, and a tension device arranged between said compress and said rear member.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

PAUL FRIEDRICH WILI-IELM KAP'IMEIEIt.

Witnesses ERNEST H. L. LIUMMENIIOFI", O'r'ro W. IInLLMmcH. 

